EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Programs: AS-5450 & AAS-5450
The Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) program is designed to prepare students
for a career in out-of-hospital emergency
medicine. Various health care providers work
in the fast paced EMS environment. The First
Responder is the first level EMS care provider.
The First Responder provides initial, "hands-on"
emergent care until the next level of EMS
provider, the Emergency Medical Technician
arrives on the scene in a Basic Life Support
Ambulance.
The Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT) is the second level care provider in
the EMS career ladder. EMT's provide
basic life support measures that include patient
assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR), oxygen therapy, shock prevention, bandaging,
splinting, spinal immobilization, and vehicle
extrication.
The Paramedic is the third tier
care provider in the EMS career ladder. The
Paramedic arrives at the emergency scene in
an Advanced Life Support ambulance and assumes
patient care duties from the EMT. The Paramedic
functions as the out-of-hospital team leader
by coordinating care provided by the First
Responders and EMT's. Paramedics are licensed
EMTís who are trained in advanced life support
measures such as venipuncture, intravenous
therapy, endotracheal intubation, medication
administration, arrhythmia interpretation,
cardioversion, and defibrillation.
The EMS Degree program is designed
as a career option for the professional employed
in EMS or public safety careers. Promotion
in EMS or public safety fields frequently
requires individuals to possess an AS or AAS
Degree. The AS and AAS Degrees in EMS requires
completion of the First Responder, Emergency
Medical Technology and Paramedic certificates.
Typically EMS professionals with an AS or
AAS Degree work in educational, administrative
or advanced clinical settings. Work sites
for EMS personnel are in fire departments,
EMS services (public and private), hospital
emergency departments, industrial health and
safety and other public safety agencies.
PRE-REQUISITES
Each program (certificate)
has individual entrance require- ments as
described in each certificate. Please see
the EMT and Paramedic certificate for specific
pre-requisites. Student's scoring below
required levels on State mandated
placement tests in English, reading and
mathematics are required to enroll in and
complete the appropriate College Preparatory
course(s) before enrolling in some program
courses.
POTENTIAL EARNINGS
Salaries of professionals with
an AS or AAS Degree are influenced by the
agency employed and the experience of the
individual. Salaries range between $23,000.00-$50,000.00
annually.
PROGRAM COST
The approximate cost to complete
the degree program is $3,600.00. This includes
course fees, lab fees, books, uniforms and
other estimated costs.
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